1. Overview
Iker Romero Fernández (Iker Romero FernándezBasque, born June 15, 1980) is a retired Spanish handball player who primarily played as a left back and is currently a head coach. Throughout his extensive playing career, Romero represented several prominent clubs, including BM Valladolid, Ademar León, BM Ciudad Real, FC Barcelona, and Füchse Berlin, achieving significant success in both domestic and international competitions. He is particularly renowned for his tenure with FC Barcelona, where he won multiple Liga ASOBAL titles and two EHF Champions League titles.
A key figure in the Spanish national handball team, Romero earned 200 caps and scored 753 goals, making him the second-highest scorer in the team's history. His international career highlights include winning a gold medal at the 2005 World Men's Handball Championship, a silver medal at the 2006 European Men's Handball Championship, and a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After retiring as a player, Romero transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach before taking on head coaching roles.
2. Early Life and Background
Iker Romero Fernández was born on June 15, 1980, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, within the Basque Country of Spain. His professional handball career began at an early age, marking his debut with BM Valladolid in 1997. His initial involvement in the sport quickly led to his recognition as a promising talent, with his career position being a left back. Standing at 78 in (197 cm) and weighing 220 lb (100 kg), Romero possessed the physical attributes well-suited for his demanding role.
3. Playing Career
Iker Romero Fernández's playing career spanned from 1997 until his retirement in 2015, marked by his impactful presence in both club and international handball. He was known for his powerful shots and leadership on the court.
3.1. Club Career
Romero began his professional journey in 1997 with BM Valladolid, where he played for three seasons. In 2000, he moved to Ademar León, playing there for one season and securing his first major club title, the Liga ASOBAL, in 2001.
From 2001 to 2003, Romero played for BM Ciudad Real. During his time with the club, he won the Copa del Rey in 2003 and achieved back-to-back victories in the EHF Cup Winners' Cup in 2002 and 2003.
In 2003, Romero joined FC Barcelona, where he spent eight highly successful years until 2011. With Barcelona, he won numerous titles, including the Liga ASOBAL in 2006 and 2011, and the Copa del Rey in 2004, 2007, 2009, and 2010. He also lifted the Copa ASOBAL in 2010 and the Supercopa de España in 2004, 2007, 2009, and 2010. On the European stage, he was instrumental in Barcelona's triumphs in the EHF Champions League in 2005 and 2011, and the EHF Champions Trophy in 2004. During his tenure at Barcelona, he was recognized individually with two selections to the Liga ASOBAL Best Seven and a top scorer title.
In 2011, Romero moved to Germany to play for Füchse Berlin in the Handball-Bundesliga. With Füchse Berlin, he continued his winning ways, capturing the DHB-Pokal in 2014 and the EHF European League (then EHF Cup) in 2015. He initially announced his retirement at the end of the 2013-2014 season to return to Spain but decided to play one more year with Füchse Berlin before definitively retiring from his playing career in 2015.
3.2. International Career
Iker Romero Fernández was a stalwart of the Spain men's national handball team, representing his country in major international competitions and contributing significantly to their success. He participated in 200 international matches for Spain, scoring a remarkable 753 goals, which stands as the second-highest goal tally in the history of the Spanish national team.
His international accolades include a gold medal at the 2005 World Men's Handball Championship held in Tunisia. He was also part of the Spanish squad that secured a silver medal at the 2006 European Men's Handball Championship in Switzerland, where he was recognized for his individual performance by being selected to the tournament's All-Star Team as a left back. Romero also earned an Olympic bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Furthermore, he contributed to Spain's third-place finish and bronze medal win at the 2011 World Men's Handball Championship in Sweden. He also competed in the 2012 European Men's Handball Championship, where Spain finished in fourth place.
4. Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player in 2015, Iker Romero Fernández transitioned into the coaching profession. In 2017, he became the assistant coach for the German Handball-Bundesliga club TSV Hannover-Burgdorf. His coaching journey further advanced when he took on the role of head coach for SG BBM Bietigheim starting from the 2021-2022 season.
5. Achievements and Awards
Iker Romero Fernández has accumulated an impressive list of achievements and awards throughout both his playing and coaching careers, solidifying his status as one of Spain's most decorated handball figures.
5.1. Club Achievements
Romero's club career was marked by numerous championship titles across different competitions:
- Ademar León
- Liga ASOBAL: 2001
- BM Ciudad Real
- Copa del Rey: 2003
- EHF Cup Winners' Cup: 2002, 2003
- FC Barcelona
- Liga ASOBAL: 2006, 2011
- Copa del Rey: 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
- Copa ASOBAL: 2010
- Supercopa de España: 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
- EHF Champions League: 2005, 2011
- EHF Champions Trophy: 2004
- Füchse Berlin
- DHB-Pokal: 2014
- EHF Cup: 2015
5.2. International Achievements
Representing the Spain men's national handball team, Romero earned multiple medals in major international tournaments:
- Olympic Games
- Bronze medal: 2008 Beijing
- World Men's Handball Championship
- Gold medal: 2005 Tunisia
- Bronze medal: 2011 Sweden
- European Men's Handball Championship
- Silver medal: 2006 Switzerland
5.3. Individual Awards
Romero received several personal accolades recognizing his outstanding performance:
- Liga ASOBAL Best Young Player: 2000, 2001, 2002
- Liga ASOBAL Best Seven: 2005, 2006
- Liga ASOBAL Top Scorer: 2008
- Handball-Bundesliga Best Seven: 2013
- World Junior Championship Best Seven: 2001
- European Men's Handball Championship Best Seven: 2006
6. Personal Life
Iker Romero Fernández is married to German handball player Laura Steinbach.
7. Legacy and Impact
Iker Romero Fernández's legacy in handball is defined by his prolific playing career and his transition into coaching. As a player, he was recognized for his powerful left-back play and his ability to score consistently, particularly evident in his status as the second-highest goal scorer for the Spanish national team. His numerous club and international titles highlight his significant contribution to the success of top-tier teams like FC Barcelona and the Spanish national squad. Romero's individual awards, including multiple "Best Young Player" and "Best Seven" selections, underscore his consistent excellence and recognition as a top player in various leagues and championships. His career serves as an inspiration for aspiring handball players, demonstrating longevity, adaptability, and high-level performance in the sport. His move into coaching further solidifies his ongoing impact on the development of handball, particularly in Germany.